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Quick & EasyBy Beverly Barbour
Dads are better than everNot so very long ago men had their cake and ate it, too. In today's world more and more of the females on planet earth have to get down and dirty with the guys. Working may be either a choice or a necessity for women, but whatever it is, we are out there doing our bit to keep the kids in school, money in the college fund, and food on the table. The job shortage leaves many a Dad pushing baby carriages, changing diapers and hauling the kids to school. A lot of role reversal has gone on in the past twenty years and I, for one, think it is just wonderful. I was all of thirty-five years old before I realized that my father was a friend and that he liked me. He may have felt the same way. We both missed a lot of prime time together. One of the results of shared parenting is that most Dads really have earned Father's Day, just as mothers have earned Mother's Day. However, it is just a little harder to shop for good old Dad who probably has at least one more necktie than he really wants, doesn't have holes in his socks and doesn't open his wallet as often as he did before the kids were born, leaving him with no need for a new money carrier. What else is there to give him. A little tender loving care, perhaps. Something very special for breakfast, perhaps. Maybe something so simple that the kids, even the little ones, can have a hand in creating an incredible edible present for the big man their lives. Herein lie a few ideas for getting Father's Day off to a happy start. STRAWBERRY PANCAKE ROLL-UPS
You can use any recipe or mix for the pancakes. It is the filling and the strawberry sauce on top that makes the pancakes festive and special. Both the sauce and the filling can be made a day or two ahead. 1 1/2 quarts fresh strawberries, rinsed and hulled Thinly slice berries to make 2 cups. In a blender or food processor, whirl remaining 1 quart berries until smooth. Press through a fine strainer into a bowl, extracting as much liquid as possible by pressing with the back of a spoon. Whisk 1/4 cup sugar and the lemon juice into the liquid. In blender or food process or (no need to rinse), whirl cream cheese and 1/2 cup of the strawberry liquid until blended and smooth. At serving time spread each pancake with about 2 tablespoons cream cheese mixture and roll up. Set two roll-ups on each plate and top evenly with sliced strawberries; drizzle with strawberry juice. Pass around the remaining juice rather than a syrup. Makes 8 roll-ups; 4 servings. SWEET AND SPICY BACONSomething special to serve with eggs, with pancakes or waffles, and with quiche. 1 1/2 tablespoons packed brown sugar Preheat oven to 350°F. Stir together sugar, cayenne and pepper. Arrange bacon slices in 1 layer on a large broiler pan and bake in middle of oven for 20 minutes. Turn slices over and sprinkle evenly with spiced sugar. Continue baking until bacon is crisp and brown, 15 to 20 minutes more, and then transfer to paper towels to drain. Makes 6 servings, 2 slices each. MAKE AHEAD FRENCH TOASTIt's what the French call "lost bread" because the milk and egg revive stale bread. This can be made 1 hour ahead or the night before, then popped into the oven and baked until crisp. 1 loaf (13-inches long) of supermarket Italian bread Cut 12 diagonal slices each 1-inch thick from the bread. Do not use the ends. Generously butter 1 side of each slice and arrange slices, buttered sides up, in a single layer in buttered 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish, squeezing them a little, if necessary. Whisk together eggs, milk and 1/4 teaspoon salt until well combined, then pour evenly over bread. Chill, covered, until bread has absorbed all of the custard, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day, depending on bread. Preheat oven to 425°F. Bring bread to room temperature and then sprinkle with sugar. Bake, uncovered, in middle of oven until bread is puffed and top is golden, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings, 2 slices each. PECAN PANCAKES WITH SPICED SYRUPStart with pancake mix and inexpensive pancake syrup. You could package the ingredients and make a gift for any cook you know - maybe even a granddad. Pumpkin pie spice gives the pancakes and syrup a cinnamon-nutmeg flavor. Pancakes: Pancakes: Combine pecans, vanilla, cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Mix until pecans are coated with spices. Add dry pancake mix and stir to combine. If giving as a gift, pack into a jar and include the following directions: Stir together mix and 1 1/2 cups water. Lightly grease a skillet and preheat to medium. Pour 1/4 cup pancake batter into skillet. Cook until edges are dry. Turn and cook until golden. Makes about 12 pancakes. Syrup: Whisk together all ingredients until combined. Syrup keeps 1 month refrigerated. Makes 1 cup (of course). BREAKFASTS ARE BETTER THAN EVER, TOO!
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